Baltimore Ravens expect Daniel Faalele to make NFL debut this season

Melbourne-born Daniel Faalele has only been an NFL player for a couple of weeks but he’s already turning heads at the Baltimore Ravens.

Faalele (L) in action for Minnesota. Picture: David Berding/Getty Images

Aussie wrecking ball Daniel Faalele won’t have to wait long to play his first NFL game, according to his coach at the Baltimore Ravens.

On April 30, the Ravens selected Melbourne-born Faalele with the 110th pick of this year’s draft, hoping to cash in on his raw talent and imposing size.

At 174kg and 2.03m tall, Faalele is currently the heaviest player in the NFL and the fifth-heaviest in the history of the league.

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But Ravens coach John Harbaugh says Faalele is more than just a big unit and is tipping him to make his NFL debut this season.

“He’s going to play this year, there’s no doubt about it,” said Harbaugh.

“The guy is big. He can move.

“He has good feet. I was just watching the tape just now. He’s moving his feet really well, and yet, he has so much to learn.

“He has to go to work every day to get better, but I anticipate him playing football for us this year.”

Harbaugh believes he’s onto a winner with Faalele. Picture: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Faalele had no American football experience when he was scouted in his teen years but went on to have a strong college career with the University of Minnesota.

He said he hoped to silence his critics by making it onto the field this year despite his relative lack of experience.

“That’s something I definitely want to prove,” he said.

“Every step of this journey, I’ve been able to compete and play early.

“(Playing this year) is definitely a goal of mine and I’m going to be striving for it but I’m just going to take it day by day and keep my head down and grind.”

.@DanielFaalele_ in action 📈 pic.twitter.com/Hzf50rZLmT

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 11, 2022

Faalale’s huge frame has invited comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs big man Orlando Brown Jr, whom the Ravens drafted in 2018.

The pair are the same height and both play offensive tackle, with Faalale on the right and Brown on the left.

“That’s the natural comparison, right? They’re both huge, big men,” said Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz.

“Orlando is probably a little bit more … well, he played left tackle, No. 1, but probably a little bit more physical as a run blocker coming out, where Faalele was probably a little more polished and consistent in pass pro (protection), in terms of playing patient.

“Orlando would get a little aggressive coming out … but yes, that’s the natural comparison between the two men.”

Faalele’s NFL dreams are coming true. Picture: Zach Bolinger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Faalele said he enjoyed observing and learning from Brown.

“Watching Orlando Brown and how he uses his strengths to his advantage definitely inspires me to work on my craft,” he said.

“I feel like my natural length is definitely going to be an advantage.

“I feel like being around 375 pounds (171kg), somewhere around there, would be a great weight range for me to play at my best for longer.”

Originally published as Baltimore Ravens expect Daniel Faalele to make NFL debut this season